"This here is a working ranch. Happy to have you here as owners, but you gotta let us do our work and know this is our livelihood."

Jennifer regarded this formidable woman by the name of Roxy, dressed in good working ranch clothes in bright colors one might not otherwise expect. Roxy was plump and sweet and powerful, and Jennifer liked her immediately. She took no guff, but she had a twinkle of good humor that Jennifer always responded to well.

Jonathan was the one to respond to Roxy's warning. "We understand that, and we don't want to do anything to impede the operations. We actually hope to improve things if we can. Jennifer and I want to make this ranch our home, and we want to be part of the community and the work. We're going to invest capital here and create more jobs if we can."

Gazing at her fiancé, Jennifer felt overwhelmingly proud. He was such a good man with such good intentions about everything. And she was very conscious that he always spoke in terms of 'we' and always included her in everything, seeking her opinion before they then made a decision together.

And this was a big decision they'd made. The last two days in this small town had felt life changing. Jennifer and Jonathan had been treated to the best of everything available by the seller's agent. They rode horses and went on hikes with Freeway—once they got him a leash, of course—and enjoyed the majesty of the ranch. Jennifer felt that she had everything she loved in all the world in that place. Jonathan and Freeway and Max and the ranch. It already felt like home.

The house was even more beautiful than the pictures. Jonathan offered to tear it down and build anew if she wanted. But she didn't have any interest in that. This house was perfect. Oh she'd put some new furniture in and decorate more in accordance with her taste, but it was just lovely. The rooms were spacious and bright and cozy. This would be the perfect home for Jennifer and Jonathan and Max and Freeway to start their lives together.

Jonathan turned from Roxy to Jennifer. "Darling, what do you think?"

She smiled. "I love it."

"I do, too," he agreed with his trademark bright smile. He turned back. "What do you think, Roxy? Think you could get used to us around here?"

Roxy looked them both up and down. "I reckon we could."

The three of them laughed and shook hands happily. They had Roxy's approval, and that was a fairly surefire way to get their offer accepted by the current owner. They were going to get this ranch.

Jonathan went to call the agent, leaving Jennifer with Roxy.

"I like you, Roxy," Jennifer said. She usually didn't come across so strong with people, but she felt like this was a woman who would appreciate it.

Roxy's sweet face broke out into a smile. "I like you too, darlin'. And I like that fella of yours. He really as good as he seems?"

Jennifer laughed, "So far, so good! I will tell you that we haven't known each other very long, but long enough for me to feel like I've known him all my life. And to feel like he knows me, too. They say that when you know, you know. I always thought that was ridiculous."

"Horseshit," Roxy agreed, nodding.

A snort fell out of Jennifer. "I'd tend to agree with you. But there is something about Jonathan that just…I don't know, he swept me off my feet. And he still does every day. He's wonderful."

"You be careful with a man like that," Roxy warned. "Lot of flash can blind a girl."

Jennifer nodded. "I've seen enough of the world to know that all that glitters isn't gold. But Jonathan is different. He's solid gold, that one."

"Sounds too good to be true."

"You'll see," Jennifer told her.

She turned to look out the window where Jonathan was pacing while talking on his phone. There was a concerned sort of look on his face, and whatever he was saying was making him rather expressive.

There was something going on. Jennifer had noticed that Jonathan had something on his mind that he wasn't telling her. She wanted to ask him what it was, but she also didn't want to pry. His business was really his business, and if he didn't want to include her, that was his prerogative. But it did disappoint her just a little. She had hoped that she was right about Jonathan, that he was different—perfect, really. But maybe this was part of the reality of Jonathan Hart that she would have to get used to.

Jonathan pulled the phone away from his ear and looked down at his screen.

"Excuse me for a second, Roxy," Jennifer said, going out see to Jonathan. "Everything alright?" she asked.

He looked up and put on a smile. "We've got an accepted offer. The agent is going to send everything via DocuSign for us. We can go through it all tonight and be in contract by morning."

Jennifer's face broke into a brilliant grin. "Oh Jonathan, I'm so excited!"

Phone still in hand, Jonathan wrapped his arms around Jennifer's waist and lifted her off her feet, spinning her as they celebrated together.